Lowell, MA - 4th Alarm - W 6th St at Boisvert St - 1/24/13

Lowell Fire sent a still alarm assignment for a call for smoke in the building, and shortly after Engine 6 turned out of their quarters on W 6th St, they reported a building fire at the corner of W 6th and Boisvert St. and requested a full first alarm assignment. With numerous Lowell companies tied up at a working fire on Pleasant St., filling in the assignment was done with companies from further across the city than usual. The first in crews reported a heavy and rapidly advancing fire condition in the basement. The first arriving chief quickly requested a second alarm to get more help as the fire had started to climb up the walls and manpower was limited. The entire 2nd alarm assignment was mutual aid which took time to arrive. The fire quickly spread through the walls from the basement up to the top floor. Cold temperatures and gusty winds helped to spread this fire along quite rapidly. As conditions deteriorated, a third alarm was transmitted and all comanies were ordered out of the building as the fire had taken full posession of the top floor and eventually through the roof. An exterior attack ensued and went on for quite some time before a forth alarm was transmitted, bringing in fresh crews to assist in extinguishing hot spots and overhauling once members were allowed back in the building. The structure is a total loss.
I had just left the Pleasant St fire when this call came in and was less than 5 minutes away. I arrived right behind Lowell Engine 2 which was 2nd due to this fire behind Engine 6 and Ladder 4. These guys busted their butts in near sub zero temperatures, reduced manpower and heavy fire conditions.
Id like to send out my personal well wishes to the Lt and FF from Ladder 4 who were forced to bail out the third floor window due to a flashover condition. The Lt is a good friend and Im happy to report he is on the mend and doing well.